<p>I'm a junior this year and I'm really concerned about how I'll look to colleges. I haven't been able to really have any extracurriculars because my mom has always been either working, at school, or studying, which leaves me to take care of my little brother. I couldn't participate in activities at school because then there would be no one to look after him. Anything I've done has only been during school hours: </p>
<p>orchestra (4th-9th grade, we moved sophomore year and school didn't have an orchestra, still practicing at home)
multi-cultural club (9th)
Spanish club (10th-11th)
NHS (11th),
Marching band (piccolo, 11th)</p>
<p>Before we moved I'd be able to have my dad take me to events and whatnot but then we moved 10th grade leaving me with no one to take me anywhere, and my mom is incredibly restrictive and paranoid and won't allow me to carpool with anyone or go anywhere non school related (which is horrible, I think that may be the root of the whole problem)
It's difficult to volunteer because once again I either have to look after my brother or have no ride (aka my mom can't take me)</p>
<p>Do you think colleges would understand this problem, would there be a way for me to explain it? Is it even a reasonable problem? My gpa is average (3.4 B+) and I haven't taken the sat yet but I'm afraid this will have a big impact on my application :/</p>
<p>The vast vast majority of schools take no account whatsoever of your ECs. Since your GPA suggests you won’t be applying to the most selective schools, your focus should be on your SATs and improving/maintaining your GPA, not worried about a laundry list of ECs which won’t matter for you in all likelihood.</p>
<p>If you really want to volunteer or take on leadership because you intrinsically want to, how about focusing on what might help students like you? Say a carers support group? Or work out some sensible system for carpooling that would satisfy more anxious parents like your mom? </p>
<p>But otherwise, you’re doing fine. Keep studying. And if it still concerns you, your caring for your brother could help inform your admissions essay.</p>
<p>Ok and yeah I’m definitely not aiming for ivy or incredibly prestigous, competitive schools, though I would like to get into a good school. I’m working to bring my gpa this year and with classes in the summer, and score well on the SAT. But thank you! Do state schools consider ECs strongly?</p>
<p>Google the “common data set” of your target schools. Go to section C where the schools list the evaluative factors. In general, state schools do NOT consider ECs much at all and usually admit solely based on formulae of transcript and scores. If you’re considering local public schools, your school GC would have very good info for you. Start there</p>
<p>Keep a little notebook of your hours spend doing childcare and put that as one of your activities. You can note that it is a family obligation. Colleges will understand this constraint. Also, if you can, find something to take up at home. You don’t have to be a club member to pursue an interest. Some people do creative writing and enter contests or submit articles, some work on computer projects. Anything that interests you and expands your knowledge. Just if you are able.</p>